A second case of hantavirus was confirmed among passengers on the MV ship Hondius, which was sailing from Oceano Atlântico bound for Joanesburgo. Organização Mundial’s Saúde reported that three people have already died as a result of the outbreak, while another five suspected cases are under investigation.
The 69-year-old British citizen who contracted the virus is admitted to the intensive care unit in Joanesburgo, in África of Sul. Cinco other passengers with suspicious symptoms remain under surveillance by health authorities, according to a statement from the WHO to the BBC.
Primeira death recorded on board
A 70-year-old Dutch passenger was the first victim of the outbreak. Ele developed symptoms during navigation and died on board the ship before Ilha disembarked from Santa Helena. The body remains in this British territory located at Atlântico Sul, where local authorities are carrying out preliminary investigations.
This passenger’s wife, also Dutch and aged 69, developed symptoms while still on the ship. Ela managed to land África from Sul, but passed away in Joanesburgo’s hospital days later.
A third victim was still on board when authorities initiated isolation and evacuation protocols. WHO coordinates with member states and ship operators to transfer passengers with symptoms to hospitals on Cabo Verde, while the MV Hondius continues its route to Ilhas Canárias, on Espanha.
Contexto of the voyage and ship characteristics
The MV Hondius is operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, which specializes in polar expeditions. The vessel departed Ushuaia, at Argentina, on March 20th and was due to arrive at Cabo Verde on May 4th. The ship has capacity for 170 passengers distributed in 80 cabins, as well as a crew made up of 57 members, 13 specialized guides and an onboard doctor.
With a length of 107.6 meters (353 feet), the ship is classified as a polar cruise vessel prepared for navigation in extreme waters. The planned route included stops at different locations on the Atlântico Sul before reaching its final destination.
Como hantavirus is transmitted
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted by inhaling contaminated aerosols. Esses aerosols originate from the urine, saliva and feces of infected rodents that carry the virus throughout their lives without showing signs of illness. The most common form of infection in humans occurs when people breathe in viral particles in environments where contaminated rodents have been present.
Outras transmission ways include:
- Cortes on the skin caused by direct contact with rodents
- Contato of the virus with mucous membranes (eyes, mouth or nose) through hands contaminated with rodent excreta
- Transmissão person-to-person, rare but documented event in Argentina and Chile related to the Andes variant of the virus
Transmission between passengers on a cruise ship represents an unusual scenario, which has aroused special interest in the international scientific community.
Clinical Quadro and manifestations of the disease
Hantavirus causes hantavirus, an infection that in humans presents as Síndrome Cardiopulmonar by Hantavírus (SCPH). Segundo information from Ministério from Brazilian Saúde, the disease causes severe cardiac impairment and severe respiratory manifestations.
The initial infection presents as a nonspecific acute febrile illness. Conforme the disease progresses, serious pulmonary conditions may appear that affect the patient’s respiratory capacity, in addition to cardiovascular complications that can lead to heart failure. Symptoms vary in intensity depending on each person’s viral load and immune response.
The mortality rate in hantavirus cases is significant, especially when the infection progresses to advanced stages without adequate treatment. The lack of a specific vaccine makes prevention essential.
Investigação and international coordination
The WHO has coordinated efforts with South African, Argentine, British and Dutch health authorities to investigate the causes of the outbreak. Autoridades of Ministérios of Saúde from these countries collect biological samples and perform diagnostic confirmation tests in specialized laboratories.
Foster Mohale, spokesperson for Ministério of Saúde of África of Sul, confirmed to the BBC that at least two deaths had been documented at the time of the initial statement. Isolation protocols were implemented to prevent the spread of the virus among other passengers and crew members.
The medical evacuation of symptomatic passengers follows international guidelines for quarantine and safe transportation of infected patients. The ship will continue its route with movement restrictions and strict hygiene protocols implemented in all shared areas.
Implicações for sea travel
The outbreak on a cruise ship raises questions about biosecurity measures on ships sailing long routes. The conditions of proximity between passengers and crew, combined with the closed environments typical of ships, can facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases.
Autoridades seafarers consider additional recommendations to improve early detection of infectious diseases on board, including carrying out more rigorous health screenings upon arrivals and greater attention to sanitary pest control conditions.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operating company of the MV Hondius, works with authorities to ensure that all passengers receive continuous medical monitoring and periodic diagnostic confirmation tests after disembarking in safe ports.